Central Government Strengthens Administrative Control Over Chandigarh
The Central government has significantly increased its administrative footprint in Chandigarh, implementing substantial changes in service rules and bureaucratic appointments despite clarifying that no formal bill expanding its authority will be introduced in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
This strategic shift has transformed the Union Territory's governance structure, moving away from Punjab-centric administration toward greater Central control through systematic bureaucratic and policy changes.
Central Service Rules Replace Punjab Norms
In a decisive move during his 2022 visit to Chandigarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Central Civil Service Rules would replace the Punjab Civil Services Rules for all UT employees under the Chandigarh administration.
This reversal to pre-1991 service norms brings significant benefits for employees, including increased retirement age from 58 to 60 years, expansion of child care leave for women employees from one to two years, and improved pay scales aligning with central government standards.
The historical context reveals this marks a return to the original framework, as Central Civil Service Rules were in effect in Chandigarh until 1991, when they were replaced by Punjab Service Rules.
AGMUT Cadre Officers Dominate Key Positions
The implementation of Central Service Rules coincided with a strategic placement of AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) cadre officers in crucial administrative positions previously held by Punjab and Haryana cadre officers.
Significant changes in bureaucratic appointments include:
- Hari Kallikkat from AGMUT cadre now holds the Managing Director position at CITCO, previously managed by Punjab officers
- Prerna Puri, another AGMUT cadre officer, occupies the Secretary, Engineering portfolio that traditionally belonged to Finance Secretaries from Punjab cadre
- The Social Welfare Secretary position, previously with Haryana and Punjab cadre officers, is now with Central government officer Anuradha Chagti
- The Health Department, historically managed by Haryana cadre IAS officers, has been under AGMUT cadre control since 2022
- Among three Sub Divisional Magistrates in Chandigarh, two are now from UT cadre and one from Haryana cadre
- All Assistant Estate Officers positions are now occupied by UT-cadre officers, replacing the previous system with a single AEO from Haryana Civil Service
Administrative Restructuring and Political Significance
Earlier this year, the Centre designated the post of Adviser to the Union Territory's Administrator as the Chief Secretary, bringing the position at par with chief secretaries of other state governments in terms of protocol, though the officer continues reporting to the Governor of Punjab.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's frequent visits to Chandigarh for project inaugurations and pilot program launches have drawn considerable attention. The choice of Chandigarh to launch the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) when it replaced the Indian Penal Code further emphasized the city's strategic importance for the BJP government.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Implications
Vinod Vashisht, Convener of City Forum of Residents Welfare Organisations, emphasized the need for broader representation in Chandigarh's governance structure. "Chandigarh is a UT without a legislature. What is more important is to bring in more people representing power to the Chandigarh UT governance instead of vesting all decision-making on a single person," he stated.
Vashisht identified their priority areas as introducing a five-year term for mayoral elections and enhancing the jurisdictional powers of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.
Pawan Bansal, a three-time Congress MP from Chandigarh, expressed concerns about the Centre's intentions, suggesting that even if plans to amend Article 240 of the Constitution appear shelved, "the ground was being built" through these administrative changes.
"If you see, they are already doing a lot of things... like Central Service Rules, bringing more AGMUT cadre people... You don't know the intention exactly," Bansal told The Indian Express, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the Central government's long-term plans for Chandigarh's administrative future.
These systematic changes represent a significant shift in Chandigarh's governance model, moving toward greater Central government influence through bureaucratic restructuring and policy alignment with central administration norms.
